Lab Setup

Right, I've setup a lab this weekend which consists of a one PC running XP and 2003 Eval (Vmware).

I got everything up and running and then realized that I can't join the XP machine to the domain, because obviously I need both client machine and virtual server running simultaneously and I cannot log onto the domain without first logging into the local machine and starting the server. When I logout of the XP local machine, the server shuts down, so then the domain isn't available again.

Anyway, think it would be a good idea to build a cheap server?

Or is there anyway I could work around this issue?

This is my ideal setup:-

Internet
-
Router / Gateway
-
2003 Server
-
XP Machine
-
XP Machine

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Comments

geekie

which consists of a one PC running XP and 2003 Eval (Vmware).

Why not build a Virtual XP client and join that to the domain?

I'm using MS Virtual Server and have a virtual XP client installed, works fine for me...

LukeQuake

Thought of that but my XP client has alot of other applications on like games, videos etc.

geekie

I meant build an XP Virtual Machine within VMware.....

LukeQuake

Good call! - Thanks

jasonboche

You can also configure your VMware domain controller to boot up when your VMware host (your PC) boots up. After waiting a few minutes after PC bootup, you can authenticate against your domain controller at logon.

1. Power up PC
2. Windows starts and waits at a logon prompt
3. Your VMware session then launches as a service and the domain controller boots up
4. After waiting a few minutes (waiting for the DC to boot up), log on

DapperDan

I am using VMWare Server with Win 2K3 (Eval) and two XP and one Linux client(s). This setup works fine for me. I configure the IP's static and the gateways to my router to connect to another PC (member server).